History of King John

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Act IV, Scene 1

A room in a castle.

[Enter HUBERT and Executioners]

Hubert de Burgh. Heat me these irons hot; and look thou stand
Within the arras: when I strike my foot
1575Upon the bosom of the ground, rush forth,
And bind the boy which you shall find with me
Fast to the chair: be heedful: hence, and watch.

Arthur. As little prince, having so great a title
To be more prince, as may be. You are sad.

Hubert de Burgh. Indeed, I have been merrier.

Arthur. Mercy on me!
Methinks no body should be sad but I:
1590Yet, I remember, when I was in France,
Young gentlemen would be as sad as night,
Only for wantonness. By my christendom,
So I were out of prison and kept sheep,
I should be as merry as the day is long;
1595And so I would be here, but that I doubt
My uncle practises more harm to me:
He is afraid of me and I of him:
Is it my fault that I was Geffrey's son?
No, indeed, is't not; and I would to heaven
1600I were your son, so you would love me, Hubert.

Hubert de Burgh. [Aside] If I talk to him, with his innocent prate
He will awake my mercy which lies dead:
Therefore I will be sudden and dispatch.

Arthur. Are you sick, Hubert? you look pale to-day:
1605In sooth, I would you were a little sick,
That I might sit all night and watch with you:
I warrant I love you more than you do me.

Hubert de Burgh. [Aside] His words do take possession of my bosom.
Read here, young Arthur.
1610[Showing a paper][Aside]How now, foolish rheum!
Turning dispiteous torture out of door!
I must be brief, lest resolution drop
1615Out at mine eyes in tender womanish tears.
Can you not read it? Is it not fair writ?

Arthur. Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect:
Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes?

Hubert de Burgh. Young boy, I must.
1620

Arthur. And will you?

Hubert de Burgh. And I will.

Arthur. Have you the heart? When your head did but ache,
I knit my handercher about your brows,
The best I had, a princess wrought it me,
1625And I did never ask it you again;
And with my hand at midnight held your head,
And like the watchful minutes to the hour,
Still and anon cheer'd up the heavy time,
Saying, 'What lack you?' and 'Where lies your grief?'
1630Or 'What good love may I perform for you?'
Many a poor man's son would have lien still
And ne'er have spoke a loving word to you;
But you at your sick service had a prince.
Nay, you may think my love was crafty love
1635And call it cunning: do, an if you will:
If heaven be pleased that you must use me ill,
Why then you must. Will you put out mine eyes?
These eyes that never did nor never shall
So much as frown on you.
1640

Hubert de Burgh. I have sworn to do it;
And with hot irons must I burn them out.

Arthur. Ah, none but in this iron age would do it!
The iron of itself, though heat red-hot,
Approaching near these eyes, would drink my tears
1645And quench his fiery indignation
Even in the matter of mine innocence;
Nay, after that, consume away in rust
But for containing fire to harm mine eye.
Are you more stubborn-hard than hammer'd iron?
1650An if an angel should have come to me
And told me Hubert should put out mine eyes,
I would not have believed him,—no tongue but Hubert's.

Hubert de Burgh. Come forth.
[Stamps]1655[Re-enter Executioners, with a cord, irons, &c]Do as I bid you do.

Arthur. O, save me, Hubert, save me! my eyes are out
Even with the fierce looks of these bloody men.

Hubert de Burgh. Give me the iron, I say, and bind him here.
1660

Arthur. Alas, what need you be so boisterous-rough?
I will not struggle, I will stand stone-still.
For heaven sake, Hubert, let me not be bound!
Nay, hear me, Hubert, drive these men away,
And I will sit as quiet as a lamb;
1665I will not stir, nor wince, nor speak a word,
Nor look upon the iron angerly:
Thrust but these men away, and I'll forgive you,
Whatever torment you do put me to.

Hubert de Burgh. Go, stand within; let me alone with him.
1670

First Executioner. I am best pleased to be from such a deed.

[Exeunt Executioners]

Arthur. Alas, I then have chid away my friend!
He hath a stern look, but a gentle heart:
Let him come back, that his compassion may
1675Give life to yours.

Hubert de Burgh. Come, boy, prepare yourself.

Arthur. Is there no remedy?

Hubert de Burgh. None, but to lose your eyes.

Arthur. O heaven, that there were but a mote in yours,
1680A grain, a dust, a gnat, a wandering hair,
Any annoyance in that precious sense!
Then feeling what small things are boisterous there,
Your vile intent must needs seem horrible.

Hubert de Burgh. Is this your promise? go to, hold your tongue.
1685

Arthur. Hubert, the utterance of a brace of tongues
Must needs want pleading for a pair of eyes:
Let me not hold my tongue, let me not, Hubert;
Or, Hubert, if you will, cut out my tongue,
So I may keep mine eyes: O, spare mine eyes.
1690Though to no use but still to look on you!
Lo, by my truth, the instrument is cold
And would not harm me.

Hubert de Burgh. I can heat it, boy.

Arthur. No, in good sooth: the fire is dead with grief,
1695Being create for comfort, to be used
In undeserved extremes: see else yourself;
There is no malice in this burning coal;
The breath of heaven has blown his spirit out
And strew'd repentent ashes on his head.
1700

Hubert de Burgh. But with my breath I can revive it, boy.

Arthur. An if you do, you will but make it blush
And glow with shame of your proceedings, Hubert:
Nay, it perchance will sparkle in your eyes;
And like a dog that is compell'd to fight,
1705Snatch at his master that doth tarre him on.
All things that you should use to do me wrong
Deny their office: only you do lack
That mercy which fierce fire and iron extends,
Creatures of note for mercy-lacking uses.
1710

Hubert de Burgh. Well, see to live; I will not touch thine eye
For all the treasure that thine uncle owes:
Yet am I sworn and I did purpose, boy,
With this same very iron to burn them out.

Arthur. O, now you look like Hubert! all this while
1715You were disguised.

Hubert de Burgh. Peace; no more. Adieu.
Your uncle must not know but you are dead;
I'll fill these dogged spies with false reports:
And, pretty child, sleep doubtless and secure,
1720That Hubert, for the wealth of all the world,
Will not offend thee.

Arthur. O heaven! I thank you, Hubert.

Hubert de Burgh. Silence; no more: go closely in with me:
Much danger do I undergo for thee.
1725